Page 98

What Next?

“ W ake your ass up,” comes an annoyed voice from above me.

My eyes snap open instantly and lock onto a grinning Archel, who is crouched by the side of the bed.

I glance down at his neck to see a blade at his throat, and I follow the arm to Dray who is lying under me with his eyes still closed, but they slit open and meet my gaze.

He speaks without even looking at his assassin.

“If you see any of her, I will rip your eyes out,” he threatens casually, and Archel snorts.

“Don’t worry, she’s not my type. Plus, my girl would kill me,” he mutters and we both blink before looking over at the assassin. Girl? He has a girlfriend…someone can put up with him?

“Later you are spilling, for now, get the fuck out,” Dray grumbles, dropping the blade and closing his eyes.

“Those pesky rebels and Berserkers are calling for their queen, and so is a doctor who is a real fucking killjoy. Better get up and down there before they all kill each other.” He sounds way too happy about that, and I groan as he starts to whistle as he leaves the room.

“Oh, and the ray of sunshine sent up some clothes for you.”

I hear the door shut and grumble as I lay my head back on Dray’s chest. “We better get up.”

“Nope,” he argues.

“They will just come up here eventually,” I tell him with a laugh, propping my chin on his chest .

He slits his eyes open again, his hands moving from the bottom of my back to cup my arse, pulling me up until I can feel his hard length pressed against me. “Then I will kill them.” He shrugs, like it’s simple.

“You can’t kill everyone,” I point out helpfully.

“Sure I can. It’s that simple, soulmate. I don’t give a fuck about anyone but you,” he growls, and my heart softens.

“Liar, you care about your people,” I reply.

“I do,” he agrees, his eyes blinking fully open. “But I love you, I would give up everything, kill anyone, for you.”

“Crazy bastard.” I grin before dropping a kiss on his lips. “We are still getting up, then you are going to let Doc look at your wounds,” I order as I slide from the bed.

“Like fuck I am, they are fucking cuts,” he grouses, getting up and prowling after me as I head to the bathroom to try and get cleaned up with a horny, pissed off Seeker on my heels.

“Yes you are,” I tease.

The bathroom doesn’t have much, just a sink and a toilet, and the best bit?

A huge iron tub. I almost groan at the thought of getting a bath, and hurry over and turn on the taps, praying Ivar’s indoor plumbing works this far up.

It’s one of the few luxuries of the castle.

I guess his royal dickness couldn’t live without running hot water.

I wonder how he did it, but that soon disappears when water spurts from the tap with a rattle.

It’s dirty at first, but it soon runs clear and I let it go for a bit to wash away the grime and dirt from the unused tub before I add the plug and let it fill, steam rising from the hot water.

Sands below, that is going to feel amazing.

A noise has me turning to see Dray placing our swords and knives within reaching distance before he hops into the bath and slides down in the tub, parting his legs with a pointed look at me.

Why do we always end up in the tub? Can’t say I’m complaining though.

I slip in after him, leaning my back against his chest as I watch the tub slowly fill.

The only sound in the room is the water running.

“Do you want to talk about what happened?” Dray asks softly, his arms wrapping around my middle and hoisting me back so not an inch of room is left between our bodies.

“Honestly? Not really. Physically, he has hurt me worse before...” I trail off, Vasilisy’s face flashing in my mind.

“But?” he prompts.

“Vasilisy,” I whisper.

“I’m sorry, soulmate, I know you liked him.” He squeezes me then and drops a gentle kiss on my shoulder.

“I did, he was a good man, an even better warrior. Death is never pretty, but he deserved a better one,” I mutter .

“I’m betting he was fine with it, everything he did was for you,” he offers.

“That’s the point. I am sick of people dying for me. I would rather they live. I want them to fight, I want them to rage, and I want them to live. Is that too much to ask for?” I snap.

“No. I won’t die for you, soulmate. I am far too self-serving for that, plus that would mean a world for you without me in it.

Not happening. I know my limits, I know how to survive, and I plan on staying by your side until the day we both die.

I promise you that,” he whispers against my wet shoulder.

I settle back then, flicking off the tap with my toe. “Good, you die on me and I swear to God, Dray, I will bring you back and kill you myself,” I growl.

He nips at my skin. “Always so feisty,” he mumbles against my skin.

“You fucking bet, I’m a queen now, and queens get what they want.”

“And what do you want, soulmate?” he inquires seriously.

“You, my men. I want to live until we’re old, I want to stop having to fight every day, but first I want to stop this war,” I admit honestly.

“Then let’s do just that,” he states.

“You make it sound so easy.” I sigh and lean my head back against his shoulder.

“Nothing worth doing is ever easy, nor is anything worth loving, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.

Let’s get washed and go talk to your new generals.

I know how to build up men you trust and we don’t have a lot of time.

I suggest you pick three generals, and leave them and some rebels here in case of any leftover Ivar supporters, then bring some with you.

Send the rest to The Ring, because, soulmate?

There will be a war, and we are going to be on the winning side. ”

“I suppose you better wash me then, my king,” I murmur.

“Yes, my queen.” He grins, licking at my shoulder.

We washed quickly, with Archel’s warning running through my mind, and I find the clothes he was talking about waiting near the door for us on the broken dressing table.

The jeans are a washed out black and have a few holes, but they are better than the ones I had before, and they even have a belt to tighten them so they fit properly.

I grin at the socks and slip them on. I’m not even going to ask where he found socks, but this being queen thing might be good.

The shirt is white and I groan when I realise it has sleeves—it is way too fucking hot out there for sleeves.

Grabbing one of Dray’s knives he left on the side table while he dresses, I make quick work of cutting off the sleeves and grin at the tank top I created.

I pull it on before adding my holster around my thigh for my knife, and then I slip another into my boot.

I almost well up when I see Archel has managed to find my holster for my swords, and I slide it over my shoulders and sheathe both of the blades into their rightful places.

Gripping my damp hair, I quickly plait it before curling it into a bun on top of my head.

It is getting long for sure, so I need to remember to cut it again soon.

When I turn around to grab my boots, my eyes drop to Dray’s hands where he is quickly sheathing all his knives across his chest with expertise that has my new panties wet and my mouth dry.

He catches me staring and smirks, so I grab my boots and slip into then, lacing them up tight so sand doesn’t get inside.

I don’t bother putting on the leather jacket, since I want them to see all of my tattoos and brands. I’m not ashamed anymore. They are each a reminder of another horror I have survived, another warrior mark, and I will wear them with pride.

I wait for Dray as he grabs his own boots and laces them, and then he pushes back his hair and looks at me. “Ready?” I ask.

“Not quite,” he replies, and I frown, but it turns into a gasp as he prowls towards me and grabs the back of my head hard, kissing me.

His tongue sweeps in and he tangles it with mine as we both groan. Eventually he pulls back, leaving both of us panting and watching each other.

“Now I’m ready.” He smirks.

Rolling my eyes but secretly pleased, I grab my jacket and stroll from the room with Dray on my heels as we head downstairs and back to reality. I push open the door at the bottom and spot Evan leaning against the opposite wall with a scowl.

“Bout fucking time,” he snaps. “Come on, they are all waiting.”

“Who?” I ask, as I join him as he starts to walk quickly.

“Your rebel buddies got here early this morning. They must have ridden all night and there’s a message from The Rim for you. The Berserkers are also waiting on you, being a queen sucks,” he adds with a grin at me.

“Shut up, Doc, and lead the way,” I warn.

He laughs but leads us through the castle.

I’m glad we don’t go to the throne room, but instead stop at a big brown door just down the corridor from it.

Evan swings it open and I spot a large round table in the middle of the room with paintings, torches, and other shit on the walls around.

It reminds me of the room from The Summit, which has me wincing, but I cover it when every eye turns to me .

Berserkers, Seekers, and rebels alike stand on our entry, all watching me. That’s when I realise they are waiting for me. Fuck, this queen shit really is hard.

“Sit,” I bark.

I spot the heartbroken man and the giant from yesterday leaning against the walls. Ignoring everyone else, I go straight up to them. “I never learned your names.”

The giant smiles ruefully. “Bern, Ma Queen,” he offers.

“Henry, My Queen,” the smaller man answers, with that fire still in his eyes, one I know too well.

“Thank you, sit, please,” I add as an afterthought. I see their eyes widen but they rush to do as I ask. Dray is right, I need generals I can trust.

I turn to the others, but a man blocks my path. I suck in a breath but straighten my spine, waiting.

“Tazanna,” he greets, watching me carefully.